After weeks without a speaker, the House of Representatives elected Republican Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana to lead the lower chamber on Wednesday afternoon after multiple speaker-designees put forward by the House GOP either failed to secure enough support on the floor or withdrew their names from consideration before taking their bids to a full vote. Notably, Johnson won on the first ballot with zero GOP defections to other individuals. So, who is Mike Johnson, and what should Americans know about him? Let's dig in.
Before being elected as Speaker of the House, Rep. Johnson chaired the conservative Republican Study Committee from 2019 to 2021 and was the vice chair of the House Republican Conference from 2021 until becoming speaker, serving alongside Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) as they worked to advance conservative policies and push back on the Biden administration's agenda.
It is the honor of a lifetime to have been elected the 56th Speaker of the House.
— Rep. Mike Johnson (@RepMikeJohnson) October 25, 2023
Thank you to my colleagues, friends, staff, and family for the unmatched support throughout this process.
It has been an arduous few weeks, and a reminder that the House is as complicated and…
In his pre-congressional days, Johnson — who has four children with his wife Kelly — had a successful career as an attorney fighting for Americans' God-given and constitutionally protected freedoms. With more than two decades litigating high-profile constitutional law cases around the country, Johnson secured victories for the unborn, religious liberty, free expression, and the right to keep and bear arms. Johnson also served in the Louisiana State House from 2015 to 2017.
Since heading to Congress in 2017, Rep. Johnson has proven himself to be a conservative stalwart who's been a sometimes quiet but powerful force behind Republican policies, including securing the border, reducing the size of government, making the U.S. military stronger and more prepared, holding the Biden administration accountable, and protecting America's children.
In the 118th Congress, Johnson has helped secure wins for conservatives, such as significant border security legislation and protections against government censorship of speech, as well as worked to expose Biden administration wrongdoing when it came to the Pentagon's COVID vaccine mandate and weaponization of federal bureaucracy through his posts on the House Judiciary and Armed Services committees.
When it comes to Johnson's fellow House conservatives, their praise and expectations for his tenure as speaker are high.
Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) called Johnson a "fellow conservative and a man of deep Christian faith" who "believes in this country, our Constitution, American values, and the American way of life — and he isn't afraid to fight for them."
"Mr. Johnson is a proven conservative," said Rep. Michelle Fischbach (R-MN). "I was honored to work with him on the Judiciary Committee, and I am confident that, as speaker, he will move forward with an agenda that reflects the values and priorities of the American people."
Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO) said Johnson "is honorable, smart," and has "done a good job of bringing together members of different viewpoints to deliver conservative victories for the American people."
"Throughout his time in Congress, Speaker Johnson has been a consistent and passionate champion of conservative principles, and I look forward to working alongside him and all House Republicans to deliver on the promises we made to the American people," stated Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO).
Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA) noted that "[a]fter ten months of infighting over personalities and politics, I am grateful that our majority has rallied behind a strong conservative, an effective legislator, and a trusted, well-liked man to lead our conference."